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Harrisburg diocese prepares for newest bishop

The Associated Press

Updated:
03/15/2014 02:52:52 PM EDT

HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg is about to make a Pottsville native its 11th bishop.

The Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era reported ( http://bit.ly/1oUt2La) Friday that priests from 97 parishes in the 15-county diocese are expected to attend installation ceremonies in the coming week for Rev. Ronald Gainer.

The 66-year-old Gainer is coming to central Pennsylvania from Louisville, Ky., where he has served as bishop for 11 years.

Gainer is succeeding Bishop Joseph McFadden, who died last year.

The installation service on Wednesday is by invitation only. The Harrisburg diocese has about 250,000 registered Catholics.